textproduct: Amarillo

KEY MESSAGES

Issued at 1219 PM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

-Elevated to critical fire weather conditions for the central and western Panhandles expected through early this evening.

-Wind Advisory for the western TX Panhandle this afternoon with wind gusts up to 50 mph at times

-Potential elevated to near critical fire weather conditions return to the Panhandles starting Monday of next week.

SHORT TERM

(This evening through Saturday night) Issued at 1219 PM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

Latest 19Z obs showing some wind gusts in eastern New Mexico of 40-50 mph as some virga showers develop within the main low amplitude H500 trough axis traversing the eastern New Mexico High Plains. This area of virga showers will enter the Panhandles this afternoon with the potential for some erratic winds at times, but generally winds will shift to westerly with gusts up to 50 mph, especially for the far western Panhandles. Dewpoint values continue to be low, so overall chances of precipitation reaching the surface is very low (under 10%). However, with DCAPE of just under 500 J/kg in eastern New Mexico with said airmass moving into the far western Panhandles, some brief rogue gusts above 50 mph with the highest vertical continuity showers could still be possible through 00Z. Going into this evening, winds will subside as the main trough axis moves east out of the region. Cooler conditions tomorrow with winds subsiding and shifting to northerly. Therefore, cooler temperatures will move into the region for tomorrow with highs ranging from the upper 40s in the northwest Panhandles.

LONG TERM

(Sunday through next Thursday) Issued at 1219 PM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

Dry weather conditions continue into next week. A ridge axis extending north into the Canadian Prairies will continue to bring dry conditions to the Panhandles. We will have to watch for additional fire weather potential, mainly steered by low RH values. Temperatures next week, especially mid week will increase to well above average.

AVIATION

(18Z TAFS) Issued at 1147 AM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

VFR conditions expected throughout the 18Z TAF period at all TAF sites. Winds will start out of the south, becoming more southwest between 21-00Z with values of 20-30 kts with gusts over 40 kts at times, especially for KDHT. Going between 00Z and 12Z, winds will eventually veer to westerly and then northwesterly with winds decreasing to 5-15 kts by 12Z and continue through the remainder of the TAF period. Skies will be mostly clear.

AMA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

TX...Red Flag Warning until 7 PM CST this evening for TXZ001>003- 006>008-011>013-016>018-317.

Wind Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for TXZ001-006-011-016.

OK...Red Flag Warning until 7 PM CST this evening for OKZ001-002.